Denture



R. W. BLAKE April 7, 1936.

DENTURE Filed June 26, 1935 A INVENTOR Robe/r Wfl/'Ze /ake, BY

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr- 7, 1936 UNITED STATESY PATENT oFFieE 10 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in dentures and more particularlyto improvements in removable dentures. It is one of the objects of myinvention to provide a denture which will permit of an adjustment of thedenture after the same has been constructed to compensate for thegradual shrinkage of the tissues of the mouth, and particularly of thegums, whereby without rebuilding or reconstruction, this shrinkage ofthe tissues may be compensated for to maintain the bite.

Another object of my invention is to provide a denture which will becushioned to thereby relieve tissues of the mouth from the full force ofthe bite and thus prevent soreness and pinching of the tissues,particularly of the gums.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form of denturewhich, though removably anchored to an adjoining tooth, will not imposeundue strain upon the anchor or the vtooth and which may be adjustedafter the tissues of the gum have shrunk to prevent undue strain uponthe clasp and the clamp or fastening device prevented from affecting thesound tooth or teeth with which the clamp or clamps may. be engaged.

Further objects and advantages of my denture will appear more fully inthe accompanying specication and claims.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of the specification, and inwhich certain embodiments of my invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a set of normal teeth, including one formof a removable bridge embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the bottom teeth showinga removable bridgeembodying my invention, applied;

Fig. `3 is a plan view of a foundational saddle of a `bridge embodyingmy invention;

, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the saddle illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the tooth-carrying saddle of a bridge embodyingmy invention for association with the foundational saddle illustrated inFigs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the tooth-carrying saddle;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the tooth-carrying and foundationalsaddles assembled;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section thereof;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a bottom set of teeth wherein a bridge for theopposite sides of the 'mouth is used;

Figs. 11 and 12 are plan Views respectively of the two sidetooth-carrying saddles for the structure illustrated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a plan View showing the foundational saddle in position withthe tooth-carrying saddle removed;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View of the mouth showing the structureillustrated in Fig. 10 in position;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of a full set of lower teeth embodying myinvention, and

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the foundational saddle thereof.

Referring first more particularly to the structure illustrated in Figs.1 to 9 inclusive, I provide a foundational saddle or plate I which isarched and shaped to iit that portion of the gum from which the teethhave been removed. This foundational saddle, in the embodimentillustrated, is provided with a bar 2 having at its opposite end a clasp3 adapted to embrace a sound tooth on the opposite side of the mouth,the bar being adapted to extend across the mouth behind the front lowerteeth. This clasp is provided on its top with a prong or projection 4adapted to rest on the top of the tooth to prevent the clasp fromdropping down on the tooth. Clamp 3 is so arranged that it preventslateral displacement of the saddle l but at the same time permits alimited downward movement of the saddle without throwing undue strain onthe clamp or on the tooth which it embraces. This foundational saddle isprovided with a series of posts or pins 5, the saddle and its associatedparts being formed of any desirable material such as vulcanite, gold orthe like, and where the saddle is formed of gold the pins 5 arepreferably brazed or soldered in position while, if the saddle is formedof vulcanite, the pins may be embedded therein and baked in positionwhen the vulcanite is hardened. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thisfoundational saddle fits over that portion of the gum from which theteeth have been removed and removably attached to the foundationalsaddle is a tooth-carrying saddle 6, conforming substantially to theshape of the foundational saddle, and carrying the teeth 1. These teethare Vsecured to the tooth-carrying saddle in the usual manner and areprovided, or at least a portion of the same are provided, with hollowtubes 8 extending throughout the length of the tooth and adapted toaccommodate the pins 5 of the foundational saddle. These hollow tubesneed not necessarily extend through every tooth mounted on the saddlebut at least a suii'icient number should be provided to make suitableprovision for the connecting of the tooth-carrying saddle to thefoundational saddle through the instrumentality of the pins and tubes.rIhis tooth-carrying saddle is provided with a clamp 9 adapted toembrace the adjacent sound tooth to prevent longitudinal displacement ofthe saddle and the clasp is also provided with a prong or projection I9adapted to rest on the top of the sound tooth to prevent the dropping ofthe saddle and clasp beyond its predetermined position.

Preferably interposed between the tooth-carrying saddle 6 and thefoundational saddle I isa shim or cushion II. I'his shim or cushion maytake various forms and may, as shown in the drawing, extend practicallythe full extent of the saddle on either side or may, if desired, becomparatively narrow so that it extends a short distance on either sideof the center line of the saddles. Or, if desired, this cushion may takethe Vform of small vannular rings surrounding each of the posts. Thecushion or shim is preferably formed of rubber or any desirableresilient material, although other material, such for instance as anysuitable metal, gold, hardened copper, or the like, may be used. Theshim has two functions. One, to provide a more or less resilient memberinterposed between the toothcarrying and foundational saddle `to providea cushioning effect for the teeth during the mastication process and toprovide Ya means whereby the tooth-carrying saddle may be adjusted inthe mouth. Usually in dentures of this nature the tissues of the gums ofthe wearer shrink for a period after the teeth have been extracted andthe denture insertedand as a result the denture Will move away from theteeth of the opposite jaw. This not only destroys the bite of theydenture but also throws an undue strain on the clamp 9 and an unduepressure on the adjacent sound tooth to which the clasp is attached,thus causing a soreness in the tooth and a gradual loosening of thetooth. With the present structure, as the gums shrink, from time totime, the tooth-carrying saddle with its associated teeth may be removedand a thicker shim II inserted, thus moving the top saddle closer to thecorresponding teeth of the opposite jaw and compensating for thisshrinkageof the gum to vvpreserve the bite of the denture withoutreconstructing the entire device. Furthermore, not only is the bitepreserved, but-the absolute vposition of the clamp 9 is maintained, thusrelieving the sound tooth of the strain of a distortion of this clamp.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive,,it .will beseen that the bottom edges of the foundational saddle takesomewhat of an outward iiare as at I2, however, atv the same time,conforming tothe contourof the gum or gums over whichit ts. Thetoothcarrying saddle preferably has a small inner bead I3 thrown up onits inner side and the outer surface of the top saddle at its lower edgebecomes flush with the outer edge of the bottom saddle, therebypresenting a smooth surface and, by the bead I3 more or less sealingthespace between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles.

In thestructures illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, I have shown astructure wherein a two-part denture is provided vhaving plates.` orfoundational saddles :I4-for opposite sidesfof the mouth connectedtogether by a suitable bar I5 which is provided with a guiding andpositioning prong I6. In this instance the foundational saddles, as isthe case in the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, are each providedwith pins 5a adapted to be received in tubes on the toothcarryingsaddles I1 similar to the tubes shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Thetooth-carrying saddles in each instance receive the teeth and eachtoothcarrying saddle is provided with a clamp I8 and associated prong I9similar Vin construction and function to the parts 9 and I0.

In this construction there is likewise provided a illustrated anembodiment of my invention in a full lower denture. As shown in thisstructure,

`the foundationalfsaddle 25 covers the entire lower gums from which theteeth have been eX- tracted. This saddle is provided with suitable pins2| and for cooperation with this foundational saddleI preferablyVprovide a vtooth-carrying saddle formed vin Va plurality ofsections,.as for instance three sections, A, Band C. .The teeth aresuitablymounted on the three Vsections and each ofjthe sectionsisprovided with tubes similar to ,tubes 8 for cooperation with thepinsll. These tubes may extendthroughall vor a few` of the teeth ofveach section and, as illustrated in B, mayexten'd'through the teethproper or, as illustrated in thesections .A .and C, may extend betweenthe teeth. In this structure, -as in connection with the structureillustratedin Figs. 1 to 9, shims yas the shims l I, are adapted to beinterposed between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddlesorplates.V

In some instances it may be found, especially when the dentureis firstused, that a shim of any ,character may be dispensed with, although Ihave found in practice that a cushioning shim even in the early stagesisadvantageous.

,The `foundational .member rhas been referred to-as a saddle but .itwill beunderstood that this term is intended to be comprehensive enoughto embrace ,even a Aplate such as is used for a full vset rofupperteeth.

I claim as my invention:

Y1..A removable denture comprising in completed form a foundationalsaddle adapted .tofbear on the gums, a tooth-carrying saddle verticallymovable on said foundational saddle having one or more .artificialYteeth mounted thereon and means secured to the foundation saddleveng-aging the teeth of the tooth-carrying saddle and holding the sameagainst lateral displacement while permitting vertical movement.

2. vA removable denture comprising in its completed form, a foundationalsaddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically extending pins mounted onsaid foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle, one or more artificialteeth mounted-on the tooth-carrying saddle and provided with tubularmembers removably receiving said pins, said tubular members beingembraced by the teeth on the tooth-carrying saddle, f

3. 'Aremovable .denture comprisng in its completed form, a foundationalYsaddle adapted tobear on vthe gums, vertically-extending pins mountedon the foundational saddle, a .toothcarrying saddle resilientlysupported on the foundationa-l saddle, one or more teeth mounted on thetooth-carrying saddle, and tubular members-on said tooth-carrying saddlereceiving ysaid vpins and embraced by the teeth of the tooth-carryingsaddle.

4. A removable denture comprising in its cornpleted form, a foundationalsaddle'adapted to bear on the gums, vertically extending pins mounted onthe foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle, one or more teethsecured to the tooth-carrying saddle, tubular members receiving s-aidpins mounted on said tooth-carrying saddle and embraced by the teeth,and a shim interposed between the tooth-carrying and foundationalsaddles.

5. A removable denture comprising in its completed form a foundationalsaddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins mounted onthe foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle having one or more teethsecured thereon provided with tubular members for receiving said pinsembraced by the teeth of the tooth-carrying saddle, and a resilient shiminterposed between the tooth-carrying and foundational saddles.

6. A detachable denture comprising in its completed form, a foundationalsaddle adapted toy bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins mountedin said foundational saddle, a toothcarrying saddle having one or moreteeth mounted thereon and having tubular members embraced by the teethreceiving said pins and means for anchoring said tooth-carrying saddleto a sound tooth in the mouth.

7. A removable denture comprising in its completed form a foundationalsaddle adapted to bear on the gums, vertically-extending pins secured tosaid saddle, a tooth-carrying saddle having one or more teeth securedthereon and provided with tubular members receiving said pins andembraced by the teeth on said tooth-carrying saddle, a clamp on saidtooth-carrying saddle for embracing a sound too-th in the mouth andmeans for anchoring said foundational saddle to a sound tooth againstlateral displacement.

8. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted toembrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins exten-ding from saidsaddle, and a tooth-carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sectionsseparably supported upon said foundational saddle in nal assembly, eachsection having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on thefoundational saddle and maintaining said tooth-carrying saddle fromlateral displacement on the foundational saddle while permitting avertical movement between said saddles and the separation of saidsaddles.

9. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted toembrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins extending from saidsaddle, a tooth-carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sectionsseparably supported on said foundational saddle in final assembly, eachsection having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on thefoundational saddle and maintaining said tooth-carrying saddle fromlateral displacement on the foundational saddle and permitting arelative vertical movement between and vertical separation of saidsaddles and a shim interposed between one or more of said sections andthe foundational saddle.

10. A full denture comprising a one-piece foundational saddle adapted toembrace and bear upon the gums, receiving pins extending from s-aidsaddle, a tooth carrying saddle comprising a plurality of sectionsseparably supported on said foundational saddle in final assembly, eachsection having a pin-receiving socket slidably receiving a pin on thefoundational saddle and maintaining said tooth carrying saddle againstlateral displacement on the foundational saddle while permitting -arelative vertical movement between and separation of said saddles andresilient shims interposed between one or more of said sections and thefoundational saddle.

ROBERT WHITE BLAKE.

